Triggers and Regulation: Qualitative Experiences of Anger and Aggression Among Youth

Anger and aggression are among the most clinically pervasive symptoms of people with complex trauma histories, however, there is little agreement about how anger and aggression are defined, triggers to anger and aggression, and how anger and aggression are regulated. Plus, limited research exists from youths’ perspectives. Using a developmental trauma framework as a guide, a phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to understand youths’ experiences of anger and aggression with a sample of youth with low and higher levels of risk exposure. Resulting themes points to youths’ perceptions of triggers, regulation, purposes, and usefulness of anger and aggression. While there were similarities across groups, there were notable differences in how youth described triggers and the regulation of anger and aggression. Findings point to the importance of considering the adaptive functioning of anger and aggression in the context of youth’ lives.